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Sir Ralph chose an arch bridge because it was less expensive than a cantilever design and capable of handling heavier loads, according to Britannia.

Construction

About 1400 men worked on the construction of the Harbour Bridge for eight years, hammering in more than six million rivets and using more 53,000 tonnes of steel to form the iconic structure.

Amateur video captured some of the workmen working to close the bridge’s arch, using hydraulic jacks, on August 19, 1930.

An intertitle reads: “28,000 tonnes of steel being lowered into position. Allowing the two half arches to come together on a centre pin”.

“Closed! The Harbour spanned at last,” another title card displays as footage of the completed bridge is shown.

Opening

Nearly 60,000 children were allowed to cross the Harbour Bridge three days before its official opening.

Kenneth Jones, aged eight, was interviewed by The Melbourne Herald atop the structure.

Without any apparent harness or safety mechanism in place, Kenneth was filmed smiling and waving happily while watching his fellow schoolmates wander across the architectural marvel.

“They look like ants down there,” he told the camera.

On the morning of its grand reveal on March 19, 1932, controversy struck.

Right-wing New Guard member, Francis De Groot, prematurely slashed the opening ribbon with a sword in protest of New South Wales Premier Jack Lang.

Authorities held back Francis De Groot after he slashed the opening ceremony ribbon of the Bridge. (Getty Images) ()

Video showed De Groot riding a horse as he brandishing the sword, before being tackled to the ground by police and removed from the scene.

The ribbon was quickly re-attached and moments later Premier Lang officially opened the Harbour Bridge, flanked by then Sydney Lord Mayor Samuel Walder and NSW Governor Phillip Game, to a roar from the crowd.

Days later, Melbourne man Leslie Francis filmed his first stroll across the structure.

He also filmed panoramic views of the harbour, stretching from Kirribilli to Circular Quay.

Twenty-six years later, The Queen Mother was recorded lauding the bridge as “a magnificent monument” in a speech during her visit Down Under.

“From where I'm speaking I can see the Sydney Harbour Bridge sweeping its great arch across the sky,” she said.

“It is perhaps the perfect example of all that you've achieved.”

Legacy

Around 150,000 people travel across the Harbour Bridge each day. (AFP) ()

The Bridge has continued to serve as a functional link for commuters, allowing around 150,000 vehicles passage every day.

It has also served as a popular tourist destination since 1998, when the official BridgeClimb tourist attraction launched.

Millions of people, including a slew of celebrities, have completed the guided, three-hour climb up the southern side of the structure.

The Bridge will be transformed into a “Dance Floor in the Sky” as a feature of this year’s Vivid Sydney Festival, which starts on May 26.

Climbers will be given the chance to summit the bridge at night-time, where an illuminated dancefloor will await.

Onlookers from the ground will also be able to enjoy the bridge, illuminated as part of the world’s largest interactive light show.

For more information on the history The Sydney Harbour Bridge, visit the NFSA’s interactive online exhibition